Scottish Watches Podcast #734: New Watches for December!

Date: December 11, 2025
Hosts: Scottish Watches (A & B)

Overview

In this festive episode, the hosts dive into the latest December watch releases, highlight industry shake-ups, and share first-hand experiences from events and launches. The show covers high-end Swiss novelties, UK watchmaking business moves, special collaborative timepieces, memorable auctions, playful Casio releases, and watches suitable for every budget. There’s plenty of wit, banter, and a few memorable quotes along the way.

New Releases: H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Genesis 2 Vantablack

[00:23 – 04:54]

• Main Topic: H. Moser & Cie. brings out the Streamliner Genesis 2 with a Vantablack dial.
• Moser's reputation for being “edgy, experimental, and tongue-in-cheek” highlighted by comparisons to their previous hits:
  • The Swiss Alp Watch (nod to Apple Watch)
  • Perpetual Calendar for Dummies
  • Genesis Project (QR codes, NFTs)
• The Streamliner Genesis 2:
  • 40mm stainless steel case, integrated bracelet
  • Pixelated titanium crown (nod to earlier pixelated models)
  • Hands and tracks float above “the blackest dial,” Vantablack, which absorbs 99.965% of light
  • Powered by HMC203 auto with 3-day reserve, skeletonized rose gold rotor
  • Limited to 100 pieces, exclusive “invitation and nomination” distribution
  • Price: 29,900 CHF (~£28,000)
• Memorable banter:
  • “Apart from my wife’s heart.” (A, [01:34])
  • “If it had the normal crown on it versus this crown with the vantablack dial, I think I might actually take the pixelated one.” (B, [04:38])
• Description of the Vantablack effect:
  • “Like being in an anechoic chamber for your eyes.” (A, [06:08])
  • Downside: visual purity marred slightly by the necessity of a sapphire crystal.

UK Industry News: Studio Underdog Acquires Horologium

[07:03 – 12:04]

• Studio Underdog, led by Rich Benz, acquires Horologium—UK-based assembly and service specialists.
• Benefits:
  • Ensures dependable, local, quality watch assembly (“assembled in Great Britain”)
  • Shorter supply chain, better oversight, and improved quality control
  • Studio Underdog accounts for 90% of Horologium's revenue
  • Scale: 1,000–1,200 watches/month
• Notable quote:
  • “From something that was a bedroom business. A bit of fun, see what happens. It's really gone places.” (B, [09:35])
• Implication: Strengthens the UK independent watch sector ("Alliance of British Watch and Clockmakers"), enhances British-made credentials.

Collaboration Spotlight: Christopher Ward x Studio Underdog – Alliance 02 Pocket Watch

[12:04 – 17:51]

• Limited collaboration for the Alliance of British Watch & Clockmakers, following their successful 01 project.
• The Alliance O2:
  • Modern 44mm steel pocket watch, based on C. Ward’s Lightcatcher case
  • Sapphire sandwich dial (yellow, orange, luminous) designed by Studio Underdog
  • Five-day power reserve, manual wind (CWO001/SH21 movement)
  • Exhibition caseback
  • Multipurpose: pocket watch, pendant, or desk clock
  • Limited to 100 pieces, Alliance member exclusive, £2,995, proceeds support the alliance
• Alliance’s role: Industry non-profit, supports brands, lobbying, events (e.g., British Watchmakers Day, 8 March 2026).
• Notable quote:
  • “Get behind what these folks are doing. See if you can do something similar... pay it back because they've been doing a brilliant job for over five years now.” (A, [13:04])

Auction Records & Noteworthy Sales

[19:39 – 21:27]

• Sotheby’s: Audemars Piguet Grand Complication pocket watch sells for $7.736 million, far exceeding estimates.
• Other highlights:
  • F.P. Journe "Francis Ford Coppola" watch (“the fingering watch”) at nearly $11 million (Philips NY).
• Memorable moment:
  • “That was the fingering watch, wasn’t it?” (A, [20:42])

Pop & Playful: Casio G-Shock x Evangelion 30th Anniversary

[21:27 – 25:02]

• Casio celebrates anime with GA110 EVA-37A G-Shock, a riot of colors (purple, green, red, etc.), design by anime artist Aikuto Yamashita
• Limited, special edition for fans, but “not for the faint of heart”
• Price: ~US$300, double a standard GA110
• Hosts’ banter: neither particularly taken, but recognize appeal for anime fans.
• Quote:
  • “It looks like someone's gone mad with a set of crayons, a blindfold, and no idea what they're actually doing.” (B, [22:47])

Wrist Check: Affordable and Accessible

[25:02 – 30:17]

• A: New RGMT Marksman GMT Automatic
  • Military styling, Japanese automatic, anti-reflective sapphire, 200m WR
  • 44mm, robust, loaded with value, “budget-friendly banger” at £420
  • “Definitely mash, definitely the A-Team...” (A, [28:01])
• B: Instrument Applied Design x Folk Clothing Solar Field Watch (now discontinued)
  • Glasgow-made, solar-powered, field watch aesthetics, 38mm, black-on-black date, fixed lugs
  • “Something I wear quite often...very easy to wear watch.” (B, [29:30])

Formex Essence Ceramica Dark Matter: 25th Anniversary Meteorite Marvel

[30:17 – 36:16]

• New limited-annual production Formex Essence Ceramica with a solid meteorite dial, dark nickel, zirconium oxide ceramic case/bracelet, COSC Soprod Newton P092 movement
• 41mm, 11.2mm thick, 56g, ceramic microadjust clasp, 100 pieces/year
• Price: 4,150 CHF / €4,590 / ~$4,920
• Praise: “You get bang for buck like no-one’s. All this technology ahead of the curve and at a price point as if they've moved the decimal place in your favor.” (A, [30:44])
• Hosts enthusiastically recommend Formex, highlight the slim pricing vs. competition.

On the Ground: Omega Opening Edinburgh Boutique

[36:16 – 38:06]

• The hosts (joined by Simona) attended Omega’s Edinburgh boutique grand opening and dinner in the National Portrait Gallery.
• Boutique praised for design, “flagship” feel, though the spiral staircase raises safety concerns post-champagne.
• Anecdotes:
  • Dave’s efficient (train) journey vs. Ricky’s traffic-laden drive home ("Slavnav").
  • Ricky educates fellow diners about the podcast world and Scottish Watches’ robust audience.

Personal Picks: Festive Movie Recap

[38:06 – 42:11]

• Ricky revisits Poltergeist films, marvels at 4K transfer and “real” skeleton props.
• Pranks neighbors with "ancient burial ground" joke, sparking community research panic.

Vintage Horology: UAE’s Emerging Independent

[42:11 – 44:52]

• Vintage Horology (Siddiqui) “Strata” watch
  • Grade 5 titanium, micro-rotor movement (Vaucher VMF 3.01), 40mm, 8.92mm thick, burgundy red dial
  • Emirati sensibilities fused with high Swiss craftsmanship, $19,000 USD, limited annual production
• Hosts note rapid elevation from quartz to high-end mechanicals in just two years, urge enthusiasts to check out the show notes for visuals.
• Quote: “It is definitely priced at the lower end of what you would be expecting to pay for a watch with the specifications and the movement that this watch features.” (B, [44:05])

TV Watch: 60 Minutes Dives into Swiss Horology

[47:25 – 49:41]

• CBS 60 Minutes spotlights Philippe Dufour, Max Büsser, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, Jaeger-LeCoultre; delves into the art and industry of independent watchmaking.
• “It’s unusual for mainstream media to get that deep into the weeds with regards to the specialist watch industry…” (B, [48:28])
• Suggest viewers search YouTube or use VPNs to catch it internationally.

Hosts’ Closing Notes

[49:41 – 52:36]

• Podcast library boasts 700+ episodes, covering the breadth of horological news and personalities.
• Recent episodes include topics from eBay’s authenticity program to Pirelli collaborations, new microbrands, and in-depth event coverage (Dubai Watch Week).
• Listener interaction encouraged (via email, not DMs).
• Closing advice: “Get yourself ready for Christmas. Don’t leave it to the 24th.” (B, [52:27])

Memorable Quotes / Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Apart from my wife’s heart.” — A ([01:34])
• “Like being in an anechoic chamber for your eyes.” — A ([06:08])
• “From something that was a bedroom business. A bit of fun, see what happens. It's really gone places.” — B ([09:35])
• “That was the fingering watch, wasn’t it?” — A ([20:42])
• “It looks like someone's gone mad with a set of crayons, a blindfold, and no idea what they're actually doing.” — B ([22:47])
• “Definitely mash, definitely the A-Team...” — A ([28:01])
• “Get behind what these folks are doing. ...pay it back because they've been doing a brilliant job for over five years now.” — A ([13:04])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Time | |---------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Moser Streamliner Genesis 2 Vantablack | 00:23–04:54 | | Studio Underdog acquires Horologium | 07:03–12:04 | | Christopher Ward x Studio Underdog Alliance 02 Pocket | 12:04–17:51 | | Audemars Piguet & FP Journe record-setting auctions | 19:39–21:27 | | Casio G-Shock Evangelion limited anime edition | 21:27–25:02 | | Wristcheck: RGMT Marksman, Folk x IAD Solar | 25:02–30:17 | | Formex Essence Ceramica Dark Matter | 30:17–36:16 | | Omega Edinburgh boutique opening | 36:16–38:06 | | Festive movie notes (Poltergeist) & neighbor pranks | 38:06–42:11 | | Vintage Horology UAE "Strata" release | 42:11–44:52 | | CBS 60 Minutes on indie watchmaking | 47:25–49:41 |

Final Thoughts

• The episode encapsulates a lively, detail-rich round-up of December’s watch news, from cutting-edge Swiss artistry to grassroots British manufacturing and bold independent ventures—delivered with the hosts’ signature wit and warmth.
• For full visuals, show notes, and links, visit the Scottish Watches website.